Hello Friends!
It has been a while since I posted a new article but I wanted to make sure that everyone is getting prepped for the upcoming winter season. Your cars run a much higher risk of rodent damage once the weather cools down, so it is very important to NOT let your guard down.
When rats and mice are looking for a place to nest, they seek out environments that are dry, dark, and warm. The engine compartments of cars make an ideal location for a potential nesting grounds (not to mention all the wires they can chew!).
One of the main reasons that rodents go into your car is to seek shelter, so we must be quick to take it away (by leaving the hood up at night) at the first signs of a rodent intrusion. If you haven’t already, be sure to implement the 5 Minute Check a few times each week (especially after any time it rains!). This will help you identify a rodent intrusion before it is too late.
If you have found rodent droppings or rodent damage in the engine compartment, take action ASAP. Head on over to the Home page and read the proper article/section for the type of rodent you are dealing with.
I hope this helps! Stay safe this winter season and check under your hood often!
If you have any questions or comments, please drop a note below.
Thank you!!
Rat King Dave
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I’ve noticed a few signs of rats (droppings and some chewed baseboards) in my house, and I’m concerned that, as you said, they might go after my car wires as well. Your tip to do five-minute checks every few days is a really good one, for sure, and will really help me keep tabs on the situation. If I do notice any signs of the rats in my car, I’ll definitely take your advice and call professionals to get rid of them from both my car and house, and to fix the damage.
Hi Rhianna! Thanks for your comment!! If you notice any signs of rodents getting into your car and have any questions on how to fix the problem, please let me know!! RKD
Rat King Dave –
Your website is an absolute blessing! I have been dealing with rats in our cars for more than a month now. Several of the buggers ate the seatbelts out of the back seat of one of our cars, and every one of our cars has lost its windshield washer line!
We live in a suburban area and park in our driveway. What are your thoughts on leaving the hood up if the car is outside? Do you think it would have an effect?
I’ve got your trap set up going, and one still got into the interior of my car and tripped a trap I have by the pedals. I’m going to set up lights on the undersides of the cars, but I’m at a loss as to what to do beyond that. Move the cars out of the driveway for awhile? We’ve got kids, so crumbs definitely used to be there, but food sources have been removed from the cars. Do you think they will eventually hit the road when there is nothing to eat?
If you’ve got any thoughts, I’d love to hear them!
Thanks again for your wonderful tips and for helping us feel like we aren’t alone in doing battle with these critters. It is greatly appreciated!
Best,
Greg
Hi Greg!! Thank you so much for the very nice comment! I apologize it took me this long to respond! Can’t believe those vermin chewed through your seatbelts. Jeesh.
You should certainly leave the hood up outside. That is more effective than leaving the hood up inside because it exposes the engine compartment to the elements. Please read through the steps on the Home page. One of the most important steps is to leave the hood up every night until there are no more signs of rodents.
The issue that you need to solve is to eliminate the car as a safe place for the rodents to go. The car is marked as “safe” right now so they will keep going back there until they realize it is no longer safe. Leaving the hood up, spraying with peppermint oil, setting the traps, bright lights, and (if you want to do this) placing a scare crow owl will hit upon the multiple senses of the rodent and literally freak it out. And it is super important to use a combination of each of these solutions all at the same time. I hope this helps Greg!
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask! Thank you!! RKD